By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — Germain Castillo has followed the same template that has allowed many Los Fresnos Falcons to be successful under coach Rene Morales: Work hard, and let your play do the talking.
But Castillo emerged as a sophomore as the clear favorite for the starting center field spot in part because of his curiosity and desire to fully understand everything he learned from Morales and the Los Fresnos staff. He became known for his questions in the dugout and during practices, and his queries helped the Falcons provide substantive answers on the field, winning 23 games in 2019.
“He came out of nowhere,” Morales said. “He earned the newcomer of the year (award). When we started off the season, he was not penciled in to make the varsity. But his hard work and his (desire) to learn the game … when the pressure was on, he didn’t worry about it. He played like a senior.”
Castillo’s play has earned him The Brownsville Herald’s 2019 All-Metro Baseball Newcomer of the Year award. He is also the recipient of the District 32-6A newcomer of the year award, a distinction he shared with Harlingen High freshman shortstop Thomas Lyssy.
“It’s an honor,” Castillo said. “I strive to do my best and to do what the coaches told me. So, thank you to Coach Mo for helping me to get up there.”
He also credited senior right fielder Johnny Cadengo and senior left fielder Lee Trevino for their mentorship in the outfield.
“Those seniors are really going to be (remembered as) a memorable group,” Castillo said. “Playing with them, it felt like I (belonged) with them, and I just felt like (they treated me like) I was older. I played up to their level, and I just stayed like that. I hope I can (maintain) that.
Castillo hit in the No. 2 spot in the Los Fresnos lineup, chipping in 27 hits (just shy of team-leader Isaac Franco’s 28), 10 RBIs and 17 runs scored. His .478 on-base percentage in 32 games played led the team, and his .957 OPS was third best on the squad.
He showed flashes of defensive excellence throughout the season, initiating a run-saving double play after catching a fly ball and throwing out a runner at home during the seventh inning of a 7-4 Class 6A regional quarterfinal loss to Laredo United South in an elimination game May 18 in Roma.
Morales said his young returning players should take pride in being one of four teams in the Rio Grande Valley to have advanced to the third round in 2019. As a crucial part of the Falcons’ core going forward, Castillo has his sights set on advancing even further in next year’s postseason.
“I want to help the players coming up,” Castillo said. “And to strive for the fourth round.”